Gold washer and amalgamator



W. S. PIERCE;

-0re Washer.

Patented Aug. 12,1856.

N. PEYERS. Phuln-Ulhagmpher. Washmghul o c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WARREN S. PIERCE, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

GOLD" WASHER AND AMALGAMATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 15,524, dated August 12, 1856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN S. PIERCE, of North Attleboro, in the countyof Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and ImprovedGold Washer or Separator; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe anneXed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which-Figure 1, is a longitudinal vertical section of my improvement. Fig. 2,is a plan or top view of ditto.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the twofigures.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention, I will proceed to describe it.

A, represents the case of the implement,

which may be constructed of thin cast iron,

the case being of a suitable height and length, and having taper oroblique sides, as shown in Fig. 2.

B, represents a furnace or fire chamber, placed in the case A. The topplate of this furnace or fire chamber is some distance below the top ofthe case A, and has small plates or ledges (a), placed transversely onits upper surface, and the top of the furnace between the plates orledges (a), has pieces of canvas (5), placed or secured upon it.

C, represents a wire cloth screen, the inner end of which is attached orsecured underneath a lip on the outermost plate or ledge (a). The outerend of this screen may be raised and lowered, and secured at any desiredpoint, by means of pins (0), to give it the proper inclination.

D, D, represent two screens, between which a sponge E, is secured. Thesescreens and sponge are placed underneath the screen 0, and their outerends may be raised and lowered, and secured at any desired point, bypins the same as the screen C. The bottom of the case A, underneath thescreens D, and sponge E, is secured by canvas F.

G, is the flue of the fire chamber or furnace B. This may be lengthenedwhen necessary by having a pipe attached to it.

If wood is used for fuel, a long flue may be requisite, but if charcoal,oil, or fluid, is

of the heavier particles of gold is arrestedv by the plates or ledges(a), and amalgamates with the heated quicksilver, the fine gold thatescapes over the top plate of the furnace, will pass through the screen0, and enter the pores of the sponge, while gravel and other foreignsubstances, specifically lighter than gold, and too large to passthrough said screen, will pass off its depressed and outer end. As thesides of the case A, are taper, the stream of water gradually widens,and becomes thinner or more shallow, as it approaches the outlet ordischarge end of the case, and consequently the water will pass in awide shallow sheet over the screen C, and with a retarded velocity, sothat the fine gold, or dust, will have an opportunity to pass throughthe screen C, and not be carried over it. In case any fine gold passesentirely through the sponge, it will be caught by the canvas F. Thepieces of canvas (5), are also to catch and retain the gold. The bottomof the furnace is provided with dampers (a).

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

Constructing the washer or separator substantially as described, viz,having the furnace B, placed within the case A, which has oblique ortaper sides, the ledges or plates (at), placed on the top plate of thefurnace, and the screen C, and the sponge E, which is fitted between thescreens D, placed in the case A, the whole being arranged as shown, forthe purpose specified.

WARREN S. PIERCE.

Witnesses:

Jnssn I. RICHARDS, HENRY L. LEACH.

